Footwear sole

ABSTRACT

Shoe insert ( 1 ) comprised of numerous elements that provide shock absorption, elements that are made up of numerous cavities ( 2 ), each corresponding with pivots or shock absorbing ( 3 ) elements, which extend out from the bottom part of the insert; shock absorption elements ( 2, 3 ) configured in such way that, when compressed by the user&#39;s weight, they compress and absorb the shock that is produced by the stepping action, thus achieving a sensation of well being and comfort.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/ES2009/070308, filed Jul. 23, 2009, which claims priority to SpanishPatent Application No. P 200930119, filed May 4, 2009, the disclosure ofthe prior application is incorporated in its entirety by reference.

The objective of this invention is a shoe insert comprised of multipleshock absorbers for the foot while achieving a sensation of well beingand comfort.

PRIOR STATE OF THE ART

Presently there are different types of shoe insoles that exist withshock absorption properties, which are generally based on the insertionof a spring or other similar shock absorption element into the shoeinsole. However, these solutions are technically complicated becausethey require complicated manufacturing processes.

Among the shock absorption inserts we have the PCT WO9947014 whichdescribes an insert with multiple support elements that provide shockabsorption in combination with an air chamber that is created betweenthe two parts that make up the insert. Also, these support elements areinterconnected through many air passages.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The shoe insert that is recommended by this invention consistsessentially of an insert, manufactured as one piece of polymericmaterial with a low level of residual deformation. The top side of thisinsert, in other words, the side that is normally facing the foot, iscomprised of a series of spaces that correspond to the pivots or shockabsorbers that protrude from the bottom side of the insert. These shockabsorption elements are configured in a way that when compressed by theuser's weight they give in, absorbing the shock from the foot step andconsequently obtaining a sensation of well being and comfort.

In the spaces that make up the inside part of the shock absorbingelements or pivots, a base has been inserted which does not completelyfill in the shock absorbing area because this way, when weight is added,the outer ring of the space gives in until it is supported on to theinner base or pivot, which provides a second and harder shock absorptionand at the same time, assists in returning the shock absorbers to theirinitial position when the weight of the foot ceases to press on themthus preventing any loss of efficiency with usage and from walking.

These inner pivots will adapt to each point on the foot they are incontact with and in accordance with the weight they are supporting atthat time, forming a type of regulated support at the bottom of the footin accordance with the amount of surface contact area and weight itsupports at each point.

As an advantage, the described shock absorbing insert also has theability to circulate air from the heel to the foot sole, as in thenatural way of walking. This double effect of the shock absorption andventilation is produced by the same mechanism that creates the shockabsorption pivots; in other words, by their compression. This way, whenthey are compressed, the air is forced out through these cavities,circulating through the channels that inter-connect the shock absorbers,and producing an air flow that provides a necessary sensation of comfortthroughout the length and width of the bottom of the sole.

Throughout the description and claims, the word “comprises” and itssynonyms do not intend to exclude other technical characteristics,additions, components or steps. For experts in the field, otherobjectives, advantages and characteristics of this invention will inpart be derived from the description and in part from placing theinvention into practice. The following examples and drawings provide anillustration and are not intended to limit this invention. Additionally,this invention covers all the possible combinations of particular andpreferred embodiments indicated herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the insert, purpose of this invention.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the insert's heel shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the bottom part of the insert, purpose of thisinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION METHODS

As can be observed in FIG. 1 the shoe insert that is recommended in thisinvention consists essentially of

a one-piece insert (1) manufactured from polymeric material with a lowlevel of residual deformation, soft enough so that the shock absorbingeffect is achieved through compression, but with enough quality for itto recover and not deform permanently prior to the timeframe guaranteedby the terms of use; this insert is made of

multiple elements that provide shock absorption, which consists ofnumerous cavities (2), each corresponding with the pivots or shockabsorbing elements (3), which extend out from the bottom part of theinsert (FIG. 3);

an area where the aforementioned shock absorbing elements (2, 3) areconfigured so when they are compressed by the user's weight, they givein and absorb the shock produced by the action of stepping.

In the mentioned cavities, (2) which as indicated make up the inside ofthe shock absorbing elements (3), an inner base or pivot (4) has beeninserted, which does not entirely fill the cavity area of the shockabsorbing elements; (3) because this way, the weight causes the outerring to give in (21) until it is supported on the base or inside pivot(4), which in turn acts as a stronger, second shock absorber, which atthe same time helps the shock absorbers to spring back to their initialposition when the weight of the foot stops exerting pressure over themand don't lose efficacy with use or from walking.

These inner pivots (4) will adapt to each point of the foot they are incontact with and depending on the weight they are supporting at eachmoment, they produce a type of controlled support at the bottom of thefoot.

In an embodiment of this invention, the insert (1) is also comprised ofmultiple channels (5) joining the shock absorbing elements (2, 3, 4)which are configured to circulate air from the heel to the sole.

1. Foot insert (1) manufactured as one-piece from polymeric materialwith a low level of residual deformation, soft enough to provide shockabsorption when compressed, but of sufficient quality for it to springback and not permanently deform, comprising a plurality shock absorbersconsisting of multiple cavities (2), each corresponding with the pivotsor shock absorbing (3) elements, which extend out from the bottom partof the insert, and where the aforementioned shock absorbing elements (2,3) are configured so that when compressed by the user's weight, theygive in and absorb the shock produced by stepping. and it ischaracterized in that in the mentioned cavities (2) which make up theinside of the shock absorbing elements (3), an inner base or pivot (4)has been inserted, which does not entirely fill de cavity area of theshock absorbing elements (3) because this way, the weight causes theouter ring (21) to give in until it is supported on the base or insidepivot (4), which in turn acts as a stronger, second shock absorber,which at the same time helps the shock absorbers to spring back to theirinitial position when the weight of the foot stops exerting pressureover them and do not lose efficacy with use or from walking.
 2. Insertin accordance with claim 1 where the inner pivots (4) are configured toadapt to each of the points of the foot they come in contact with anddepending on the weight they support at the time, they produce a type ofcontrolled support at the bottom of the foot.
 3. Insert in accordancewith claim 1, where the insert (1) also incorporates multiple channels(5) that connect the shock absorbing elements (2,3,4) which areconfigured to circulate air from the heel area to the sole.
 4. Shoe thatis characterized in that it is comprised of an insert as the onedescribed in claim 1.